Whistling toy



Sept 2 1952 H. K. MARcl-:LL 2,608,795

` WHISTLING TOY Filed Dec. l. 1947 HOWARD K. MAOE LL IN V EN TOR.

A whistle 22 is also attached to the rod I9 and the passage of air through the whistle is controlled -by a slide valve 23 having an extension 24 extending through a central opening in the end cap 25. Normally the slide valve 23 closes the opening to the Whistle under the action of the compressible spring 26, the inward motion of the slide valve being limited by the washer 2l securely aflixed to the valve extension 2l. Manual operation of the slide valve is accomplished by pulling on the string 28 secured to the extension 24, as shown in Figure 2,.

The operation of the device will now be described. Rotation oi the v,wheels IIl imparts a reciprocating motion to the piston I2 which together with the tube I-I forms a pneumatic pump. A's the piston I2 moves to the left air passes through the aperture I6 in the plate.I5 into the tube I9 and the balloon 2 I; the diaphragm I8 uncovering -the aperture I`6.1As .thepiston' moves to the right the reduction in air pressure withinthe tube I4, together with the increased air pressure in the tube I9, causes the diaphragm I8 to press iirmly against the plate I thereby eiectively sealing the openingIG to prevent escape of air from the balloon.A Further, such movement of the piston to the, right creates an increasing pressure difference on'the two sides ofpiston. Specifically, the pressure in the tube I4, between the disc I5 and the piston, decreases whereas that in the open end of the tube I4 remains at atmospheric pressure. Consequently, air from the atmosphere will enter into the reduced pressure area circumferentially around the leather washer forming the piston, it being noted that the washer is compressed within the tube III such that its circumferential edge is turned over in the direction of the disc I5. Upon subsequent movement of the piston to the leftv an increasing air pressure between the disc I5 and the piston causes the turned-over edge of the washer to press against the inner wall of the tube thereby providing a tight seal during the compression stroke of the pump. Thus, each cycle of operation of the piston increases the volume and pressure of the air within the balloon. Except for minor air leakage related to the precision with which the various parts are made and assembled, the air accumulated within the balloon is available for blowing the Whistle. By pulling upon the string 28 the whistle is placed into direct communication with the balloon. If desired, the vchild may keep the string taut until all the air in the balloon is eX- hausted thereby producing a prolonged whistle note. Alternatively, by alternately pulling and releasing the string a series of short notes may be sounded. Obviously, the wheeling ofl the-top over the floor accompanied by the simultaneous blowing of the whistle as and when desired affords the child a high degree of amusement.

To enhance the appeal of the toy the balloon may be disposed appropriately with respect to the character of the toy as a whole. As shown in Figure 3 the toy is made in the form of a clown with the balloon attached so as to form the nose. The whistle may be hidden under the body of the ngure or may, for example, protrude from the mouth of the clown in the form of a cigarette, cigar, etc. The ination and deflation of the clowns nose, as the toy is wheeled over the floor with accompanying blowing of the whistle, provides an additional element of interest and amusement.

While Figure 1 illustrates a simplined arrangement oi the various components it will now be apparent the combination of a pump, an expansible air reservoir and a whistle are subject to a wide latitude in design. In general, the size and arrangement of the parts will be determined by the design of the body or housing of the toy. Thus, in the clown toy shown in Figure 3, the parts are arranged in a vertical plane and the figure is supported on one or two wheels. In the case of a locomotive the working parts could conveniently be arranged in a. horizontal plane and supported on four or more wheels. In the case of the locomotive a white balloonmay be attached to the smoke stack whereby inilation anddeflation of the balloon would jrepresent smoke, 'and the whistle may be disposed: in any convenient location within the boiler. f f v i In anydesignthe whistle may, if desired, be disposed within the body of the toy asits function is primarily that of producing sound. However, the stem to which the balloonis'- attached shouldbe readily accessible to facilitate replacement or interchange of `balloons ,of'other colors, sizes and shapes, as desired bythe user.

Having now described my invention various modications in the arrangement anden-action of the parts will `be apparent to those skilled in the art without kdeparting'from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth'in the following claims. y

I claim: A l

l. A toy comprising a body supported by a wheel rotatable over a, surface, a handle secured to the body, a reciprocating pump disposed within the body, a crank axle rotatable upon rotation of the wheel, a connecting linkage between the crank-axle and the piston of the pump to cause operation of the pump upon rotation of the wheel, a tubular air chamber axially-aligned with and communicating with the pump, a one way valve between the pump and the said chamber, a, stem extending from theA air chamber to the exterior of the body, a balloonremovably'attached to the stem, said balloon serving as-a reservoir for the compressed air generated by the pump, a whistle communicating with the said air chamber, a slide valve, a spring normallyV biasing the slide valve to close the air passageway between the air chamber and the whistle'-l and a. flexible member secured to the slide valve and lextending along said handle, said iiexible membermanually operative to move the slide-valvethereby opening the air passageway to the whistle.V K j 2. The invention as recited in claim l, wherein the body is formed `to simulate anv animate character. i 5

HOWARDK MARCELL.

REFERENCES-*CITED Y The following references are o1' record 'in the le of this patent:"' f

Number l .'Name4 l 1,098,303 Steimer et a.l.- l Ma-y 26, V i914 1,423,587 Hakonsen sept. 12, 1922 2,119,133 Hogan May 31, 193s 2,253,030 

